[epub] RE: CGI ToolBox- List serve

["@quasar Internet Solutions, Inc." <shore@xxxxxxxxxx>]

As a bit of elaboration on Joe's message and article...(and a question)

There are a few different things that could happen to cause what appears
to be a "timeout".

We had a commercial client here who wrote their own cgi script and it was
used to send out a list of about 7000 subscribers.  We have a real fast
and real 'obedient' server here...The script told the server essentially
to send out all 7000 messages "NOW."  So the server began to do what it
was told.

The best way to picture what's happening at this point is to picture a
room in a post office and each of 7000 mailmen are given one piece of mail
to go deliver:  now.  So they all rush to 'the' door and attempt to be the
first to squeeze through.

While all this activity is going on the server gives more and more
priority to getting this task done, taking an increasing amount of server
resources...so it begins to affect other user mail, slows down websites
and anything else the server is supposed to be doing.

The other variable is that if the list has not been kept up to date
(cleaned) then bounces start coming back in, further clogging the server
with incoming email.  This is actually worse than what you are sending
out!

In some circumstances it's actually possible that this could lock up the
mail entirely or even take down the server.

This does depend partly on how the script is written as some do take the
way this all operates into consideration.  (Our client was able to rewrite
theirs.)  I'm unfamiliar with the script Maria asked about.

So some servers have indeed made this kind of request impossible as it's
really not fair to other users.  Our TOS allows us to shut down processes
which are having an adverse effect on the server but we would never do
something like that without letting a user know that we had done so.  I
can't imagine a server not letting the sender know that the mail had not
been sent out!

We're consequently revising our TOS and will include some conditions on
list sending in he new version.  This will require sending of large lists
in batches and also a requirement that the list be kept cleaned.  I've
also considered making list-sending a premium service rather than
including it in a single dialup or hosting account.

I've been told the guidelines at the url below have become pretty standard
(?).  I think I like these.

http://mail-abuse.org/manage.html

But I'd welcome any input on this before I finish rewriting this TOS
and cast it into stone!

Thanks,

Dena A. Whitebirch

    @quasar Internet Solutions, Inc.
    "Internet Powered by Experience"
--------------------------------------------
Register .MART domains and more @quasar!
          http://quasar.net/

On Mon, 25 Feb 2002, Joe Reinbold wrote:

> Hi Maria,
>
> I have used several different cgi scripts for mailing list
> processing. The scripts themselves work fine. The problem
> can occur with your hosting service and/or your ISP who
> might put limits on the number of emails you may send
> out at one time. This can cause the script to time out
> and your list may not go out completely. I did an article
> on cgi scripts that you might be interested in:
> CGI Mailing List Scripts - Is All Of Your List Going Out?
> http://www.homebizlink.com/cgiscpt.htm


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